*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Watford effectively need four more wins to guarantee their return to the Premier League but given the form of the chasing pack, two should be enough. They welcome Reading to Vicarage Road for Friday night’s televised game knowing promotion is theirs to squander.
The 2nd-placed Hornets have been on a great run but were held up by Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough on Easter Monday with a 1-1 draw. However, poor results for Brentford and Swansea in 3rd and 4th over the weekend meant their promotion prospects were not dented in the slightest.
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Reading are still fighting gamely for the final playoff spot which they currently occupy in 6th. At the moment it looks like we’re down to four from five candidates making it, but they’ll be looking over their shoulder at Bournemouth who trail them by just a point, have won three in a row and have a game in hand over them.
Both sides will be desperate for the win so let’s try and find some good value with our three best bets.
Watford to Win
Watford’s draw with Middlesbrough was the first time they failed to win in six games and just the second time they dropped points in 12. Reading’s Easter Monday win over Derby was their first in four.
Watford might have had title ambitions in any other year but Norwich’s relentless form has extinguished any hopes of that this time around. Their focus will now be solely on securing 2nd spot and an immediate return to the top flight.
Friday 7.45pm: Watford v Reading
Sky Sports Football
Reading’s form has deserted them and you get the feeling panic might have set in again. They’re only really still hanging around the playoffs because of their incredible early season form and you worry they peaked too soon.
Watford are probably going to be a shade of odds on to win here but given the two lines of form I can’t recommend anything else. The Watford to Win selection also gives you lots of ways to play for a little Bet Builder if you fancy that and should set us off on the right foot.
Both Teams To Score
This Both Teams To Score selection seems to depend on how stingy Watford’s defence fancies being on Friday night. It landed in the 1-1 draw with Boro last time out and in three of their last five games.
For Reading, their defence has deserted them after a decent spell and Both Teams To Score had landed in all all five of their last five outings. The Royals have netted in their last eight and Watford have gone seven games without firing a blank so at healthy odds, especially with those stats factored in, Both Teams To Score is a must have for this game.
Lucas Joao to Score Anytime
Lucas Joao’s shocking miss against Barnsley on Good Friday did the rounds on social media but even casual Championship observers will know that was the exception rather than the rule. The Portugal international has scored 22 goals in 35 appearances this season including some blockbuster strikes.
He’s proven to be a profitable man to back this season and has come up trumps for his side on plenty more occasions than not. With Watford sharing the goals around and Reading relying on Joao heavily, he’s the man getting the nod for us here.
He was rested during the week but his inclusion on the bench was a clear indication he’s not injured. Assuming he starts I’d be happy to back Joao to Score Anytime. I fancy Watford to score first so Anytime is the way to play here.
Tips for Watford v Reading
Watford to Win
Both Teams To Score
Lucas Joao to Score Anytime
These three selections in a Bet Builder will give you odds of around 9/1 with Paddy Power.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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